Be content with what you have.
—Hebrews 13:5
At the time of this writing, there’s a new baby in the British royal family. They haven’t named him yet. I have a suggestion: call him Discontent. No disrespect intended—it’s just that all babies come into our world kicking and screaming. Contentment has to be learned.
The apostle Paul lobbed a couple of reminders.
First: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Tm 6:7). I’ve preached hundreds of funerals; every one of the deceased checked out with the same amount.
Second, Paul said: “We should be satisfied just to have food and clothes” (1 Tm 6:8). That’s a tough challenge, but worthy of sober contemplation. The late Batsell Baxter said: “The secret of contentment is to keep your wants few and simple.”
Everything beyond physical necessities
should be considered favors.